But can Alexander Technique HELP those with dystonia?

In another section of this blog there is a post about the Alexander Technique.

But what do others say about the use of the Alexander Technique and dystonia?

It is reasonable to conclude from Annie's post that Alexander Technique (AT) helped. She writes:

"Annie: Age 27

Spasmodic Torticollis

Treatments: Klonopin, Ativan, Lyrica, Botox (every three months, but last treatment did nothing), acupuncture, Alexander Technique.

Years Diagnosed: 1. I was diagnosed almost exactly one year ago, November 2008, I was lucky that my symptoms only started in October 2008.

So far, I've seen about a 70% improvement in my range of motion, but the pain has worsened"

A guitarist with focal dystonia writes:

"As things stand I’m partially recovered. I took Alexander Technique lessons for three years and found them a great help. I no longer take lessons but continue to apply the principles"

After watching this video:

someone wrote:

"I have had dystonia for over15 years so can really relate. My friend is with me and I showed her your video and it helped her understand..I have found Alexander Technique helped me a lot!"

Also from here:

"I remember him mentioning that he has Focal Dystonia. He said he has been working with an Alexander Technique teacher and that it had helped him continue playing."

What about research? 

Well, there's this....

Objective: To determine whether the Alexander Technique, alongside normal treatment, is of benefit to people disabled by idiopathic Parkinson's disease. 

Design: A randomized controlled trial with three groups, one receiving lessons in the Alexander Technique, another receiving massage and one with no additional intervention. Measures were taken pre and post-intervention, and at follow-up, six months later

Results: The Alexander Technique group improved compared with the no additional intervention group, pre-intervention to post-intervention

Conclusions: There is evidence that lessons in the Alexander Technique are likely to lead to sustained benefit for people with Parkinson's disease. 

Spasmodic torticollis/cervical dystonia certainly gives you a lot of pain. This site tells us:

"The Alexander technique as a way of moving and thinking that eliminates the bad posture and movement habits that can lead to neck and shoulder pain. The Alexander technique teaches you to be aware of the sources of pain and the natural compression of muscles that occurs as the body tries to eliminate that pain. It emphasizes economy in movement to prevent jarring and straining actions, and body alignment to minimize the muscular strain that comes from holding the body in an unnatural position. Alexander technique lessons are low-impact and involve gentle hands-on instruction that helps you to release muscular tension and redevelop your natural poise."

This torticollis site says:

"A good posture may help. Check that your sitting position at work or at the computer is not poor (that is, not with your head flexed forward with a stooped back). Sit upright. Yoga, pilates, and the Alexander technique all improve neck posture, but their value in treating neck pain is uncertain."

So - what next?

Having Alexander Technique can be expensive!

The first thing you should/could do is read up about it. Learn what it involves. Try starting here.... 

You could read about it and/or watch dvds...

If you're in the UK here is how to find a teacher.

Here is how to CHOOSE a teacher.

Other Links:

• AlexanderAudio.com - Comprehensive collection of CDs, MP3s and RealAudio files related to the Technique
  
• Body Learning - Alexander Technique Podcast
  
• AlexanderVideo.net - DVDs, VHS tapes and on-line Alexander Technique videos
  
• Alexander Talk - Lighthearted, incisive conversations about the Alexander Technique
  
• Marjorie Barstow - Links to a great many on-line videos of this master teacher of the Alexander Technique
  
• eBooks and Books by Roy Palmer - Ever-growing collection, wirh an emphasis on sports, many useful for self-study
  
• Move Well, Avoid Injury - What Everyone Needs to Know About the Body - DVD
  
• Andover Road Press - An independent publisher of Alexander Technique books
  
• Mornum Time Press - An independent publisher of books for teachers and serious students of the Alexander Technique

You could try emailing this person who has experience with clients who have dystonia - but I am sure other teachers do have as well...

So - what does the above tell you?

1. According to some people with dystonia (especially cervical dystonia) there is a high chance the Alexander Technique will help you.

2. You can learn about the Alexander Technique through dvds and books

3. You can find - via the links - Alexander Technique teachers in the UK - and also you can read HOW to select one.

4. Notice also that teachers often reduce their rates for those on benefits etc.

Alexander Technique and Dystonia

I found an article about the Alexander Technique and Dystonia.

Here are a couple of extracts:

"The various classifications of dystonia seem to describe not different conditions, but a similar problem of control and co‐ordination in different parts of the body. The Alexander Technique teaches the same general skill to everyone. Restoring the general control of the whole organism often removes the causal factor of a localised problem.......There are descriptions of improvements to sufferers of torticollis following lessons in the Alexander Technique mentioned in The Universal Constant in Living by F. M. Alexander, The Alexander Technique as I See it by Pat MacDonald, and Postural Homoestasis by Dr. Wilfred Barlow published in The Annals of Physical Medicine, July 1952...."

The full article is here.

There are various videos about the Alexander Technique on Youtube such as here and hereand here.

It would seem that the Alexander technique could well be of help to people with dystonia. I spoke to Yoana Browning who runs this site.

On her site she writes:

"The Alexander Technique is a set of skills which teach you how to release tensions held in your body, allowing greater movement and freedom. Because it is based on training the mind to regain control of the body - the ‘self’ - it is a powerful technique, often leading to a greater sense of well-being."

Yoana has never treated anyone with dystonia BUT, nonetheless, it seems clear to me that in the hands of a skilled practitioner someone with, say, spasmodic torticollis, would gain a lot.

I also spoke to Stephen Cooper who runs this site.

Stephen HAS treated people with dystonia and helped them control/reduce/cope with the symptoms. He also runs evening courses:

"There will be two courses in the spring, starting on January 18th and February 15th (both falling within the University term).There will be two further courses during the summer term"

These courses are INTRODUCTORY but nonetheless, may be of interest to those with/care for those with dystonia.

About ten years ago Stephen gave a talk to the Oxford branch of the Dystonia Society

A brief testimonial:

"I have had spasmodic torticollis on the left side of my neck for a long time. CAn anyone suggest a type of yoga or other ways of releasing the tension thru therapies, sport and also any suggestions re diet on this condition? i have found swimming and alexander technique have helped so far. thanks!"

Source

If you're thinking of exercise then Alexander Technique is incorporated into the Base Conditioning phase of all exercise programmes with the Chek Practitioner system but his is only the "base" and must be built upon.  Problem with Alexander Technique is it's not teaching people how to be functionally strong at the same time and R.Schmidt shows that in his work, Motor Learning and Performance.

More about Base Conditioning here...